Army comes in at 2-2 with wins over UMass and VMI, and tight losses to #16 Rutgers and #3 Syracuse.

Last week the Pards showed they can play with the PL big dogs by playing #5 Loyola in a close one. The VASTLY improved Pards are worth looking at a little more carefully at this point. Thanks to PLN, we are able to review game video for Army vs. Rutgers, Army vs. UMass and Army vs. VMI:

From what I've seen on the video to date, Cole Johnson #28 is as he has been for the last couple of years - phenomenal as a scorer but even more important as the "assist guy." Connor Cook #77 played really well vs. Syracuse. But the real eye-opener in my mind is freshman Nate Jones #40. Gotta watch out for this kid.

The Army D looks tighter and more physical than Loyola but not as quick. Also Army seems to rotate more guys in on D.

Army used two FOGOs vs Syracuse but neither fared very well. The same two guys (Alex Daly #88 and Dan Grabher #99) did much better vs. Rutgers. They used a bunch of different guys vs. VMI but that was a blowout.

More later . . .

Last edited by Bogus Megapardus on Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:59 pm; edited 4 times in total

Also Pard lax fans might want to take a look at some of the Army vs. Syracuse video just to get a look at the sheer size and physicality of Syracuse's defenders. #11 in particular is ridiculous.

My Pard lax dream is to have a defense with the size and athleticism of Syracuse coupled with speed, smarts and discipline of the guys that that Bill Tierney coached in his 20+ years at Princeton.

Tierney's DLines in those Princeton years (IMHO) were unparalleled in the annals of college lacrosse, particularly given Princeton's recruiting restrictions. Watching that defense was a religious experience, to me at least. They were awesome.

Last edited by Bogus Megapardus on Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:51 pm; edited 7 times in total

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 7:20 pm

Bogus Megapardus

Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 5880

Location: The Psphere of Pardsvillian Punditry

FYI - looks like GoLeopards.com has a preview posted. I didn't realize that we first played Army in lax in 1926 but we've never beaten them in 34 games.

Overdue?

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:26 pm

Bogus Megapardus

Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 5880

Location: The Psphere of Pardsvillian Punditry

One more thing - has anyone else noticed that our guys no longer are looking around wondering what happened, or casting evil glances at other guys as if someone else didn't do his job? Instead, they're throwing down and looking like they're faulting themselves for a play that they are certain they could have made.

I like this. I like this very much. Soon enough they'll be making those plays because they know they can, and they know that their teammates have put them in a position to do so. To me, this says a lot.

As a former player, a coach, and a member of a four-generation collegiate lacrosse family spanning nine different NCAA teams, I have to wonder - is this the year that the Pards don't let me down; that they finally turn the corner for good? I'm holding my breath here.

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 6:49 am

seenalot

Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 1424

I'm not saying anything for exactly the same reasons, one game one step at a time. "Be the best" go Pards.

Army comes in at 2-2 with wins over UMass and VMI, and tight losses to #16 Rutgers and #3 Syracuse.

Last week the Pards showed they can play with the PL big dogs by playing #5 Loyola in a close one. The VASTLY improved Pards are worth looking at a little more carefully at this point. Thanks to PLN, we are able to review game video for Army vs. Rutgers, Army vs. UMass and Army vs. VMI:

From what I've seen on the video to date, Cole Johnson #28 is as he has been for the last couple of years - phenomenal as a scorer but even more important as the "assist guy." Connor Cook #77 played really well vs. Syracuse. But the real eye-opener in my mind is freshman Nate Jones #40. Gotta watch out for this kid.

The Army D looks tighter and more physical than Loyola but not as quick. Also Army seems to rotate more guys in on D.

Army used two FOGOs vs Syracuse but neither fared very well. The same two guys (Alex Daly #88 and Dan Grabher #99) did much better vs. Rutgers. They used a bunch of different guys vs. VMI but that was a blowout.

More later . . .

#40 Nate Jones was the leading senior attackman on my son's HS team last year. Extremely tough dodger from X who showed no fear against much bigger D and had highlight goals against Landon, Gtown Prep and other big schools. Nice kid who still coaches my son's club team in the summer. His father is a Marine Corps Colonel who travels to the Middle East often. I imagine the tenacity and discipline are taught at home. Glad to see he's having such an early impact. I just hope they contain him today!

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 12:24 pm

The Maroon

Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 1877

Location: Bethlehem, PA

We got the first goal four minutes in, and Army's rolling off a goal every 40 seconds right now. They currently lead 5-1 and it could get REALLY ugly unless we dig deep._________________I bleed Maroon

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 12:35 pm

The Maroon

Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 1877

Location: Bethlehem, PA

7-2 Army after 1.

I think we lost all but 1 on the faceoffs, and they just seem faster than us at virtually every position.

We can't have another quarter like this or the second half becomes a formality._________________I bleed Maroon

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 1:00 pm

The Maroon

Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 1877

Location: Bethlehem, PA

10-2 at the half. Just not competitive. We barely had possession at all._________________I bleed Maroon

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 1:37 pm

The Maroon

Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 1877

Location: Bethlehem, PA

12-2 early in the 4th and that's all I can handle. Won't beat on the kids a week after giving them love. I'll just give credit to Army. Enjoyed the gamecast - I learn something every time._________________I bleed Maroon

Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 6:18 pm

pards4ever

Joined: 20 Jul 2013
Posts: 135

That was embarrassing ...had to watch the 2nd half inside Kirby...totally manhandled

That was embarrassing ...had to watch the 2nd half inside Kirby...totally manhandled

I know less about this game than...everybody in the world - but I have to believe that the ridiculous ease with which #99 scored their first goal (after we had looked so good the first few minutes) was a breakdown on many fronts.

I've seen enough of Cole Johnson to last a lifetime. He was 2nd team all league last year - he played like he was second team all american.

Their team speed seemed to dwarf ours. Maybe it just wasn't our day - but it appeared that whenever they went into second gear they scored at will. And unfortunately they aren't a senior-dominated team_________________I bleed Maroon

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 10:10 am

seenalot

Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 1424

Only watched the first few minutes but it was pretty clear where this was going after they notched 4 in a row. We look like we were playing on a muddy grass field and they were on turf in terms of comparative speed. Defense got lost, FO was awful and Attack never had the ball. One step forward v Loyola and two small ones backwards in this game.